Afghans Protest Outside U.S. Base

26 July 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Hundreds of angry villagers protested outside the U.S. military headquarters in Afghanistan today, demanding the release of eight villagers detained in a raid.

The demonstration happened at the U.S. base at Bagram, near Kabul.

The Associated Press reports U.S. and Afghan soldiers fired warning shots into the air after protesters, chanting anti-American slogans, threw stones at U.S. troops. Afghan troops reportedly used force to disperse protesters in front of the base.

There were no immediate reports of detentions or injuries.

The U.S. military said that military leaders are meeting with local leaders to address the protesters' concerns.

The eight men were arrested in an overnight raid. They were believed to be planning attacks against coalition forces.